DEAR ABBY: I am being married in October and asked my matron of honor's daughter "Crystal" to sing at my wedding. However, she has not yet bothered to learn the song we requested.
Another young woman at our church has a much better voice, already knows the words and has offered to sing for us. I want to tell my friend that Crystal isn't taking this seriously and I would like to hire the other singer, but I'm afraid she will be offended. How do I approach this subject? -- NERVOUS BRIDE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR NERVOUS: To accuse your matron of honor's daughter of shirking her responsibility half a year before the wedding would be jumping the gun and cause hard feelings. If Crystal hasn't learned the lyrics by the end of August, tell her mother then that you feel the young woman hasn't taken the honor seriously and you have found someone who already knows the song. So calm down, secure in the knowledge that you have a qualified understudy standing in the wings if your first choice is unprepared.